Of course, even the best laid plans sometimes go awry, and the babies end up laughing instead. At that point the wrestlers don ferocious masks, which usually finishes the job.

The babies are held aloft so that their cries are closer to heaven. During the 400-year-old competition, their parents pray for the good health of their children.

Evil spirits are supposedly driven away during the festival, which takes place across Japan.

Childcare expert Dr Penelope Leach made headlines last week when she claimed that fresh research proves that long periods of crying can damage developing brains, leading to learning difficulties later in life.

Mothers wait in line to enter their babies in the bizarre competition on Sunday